Product Overview

This Spray Painting SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for spray painting activities on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that supports WHS compliance and manages risks across multiple aspects of spray painting operations, from preparation through to clean-up.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Selection and safe use of spray painting equipment, including airless, HVLP and conventional spray guns
• Preparation of work areas, including barricading, signage, ventilation and segregation of ignition sources
• Surface preparation activities such as cleaning, degreasing, sanding and masking prior to painting
• Management of hazardous chemicals including paints, thinners, solvents, hardeners and cleaning agents
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators, gloves, eye protection, coveralls and safety footwear
• Control of airborne contaminants, overspray, fumes and mists to protect workers and nearby persons
• Safe setup and operation of compressed air systems and associated hoses, fittings and regulators
• Fire and explosion risk management when working with flammable and combustible coatings
• Manual handling of paint containers, gas cylinders, equipment and components to minimise strain and injury
• Working in spray booths, temporary enclosures or confined/poorly ventilated areas with appropriate extraction
• Environmental controls for storage, handling and disposal of waste paint, solvents and contaminated materials
• Emergency response procedures for spills, exposure, fire, equipment failure and first aid requirements
• Housekeeping practices to control slip, trip and fall hazards from hoses, spills and offcuts

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for spray painters, industrial and automotive painters, fabrication and maintenance crews, contractors, and site supervisors responsible for managing spray painting works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risks from paints, solvents and related chemicals.
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – Code of Practice: Requirements for ventilation, lighting, amenities and general work environment conditions.
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment and implementation of control measures.
• First Aid in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on first aid equipment, facilities and training relevant to chemical exposure and injury.
• Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals – Code of Practice: Requirements for correct labelling of paints, thinners and other hazardous substances.
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals – Code of Practice: Ensuring access to current SDS for all spray painting products used.
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment for spray painting activities.
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices performance requirements for protection against paint mists and vapours.
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves for handling paints, thinners and cleaning agents.
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids used in spray painting.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017